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Dernulc: 2023 legislative session update

Submitted For Use On: March 3, 2023
Word Count: 387

2023 legislative session update

By State Sen. Dan Dernulc (R-Highland)

The Indiana General Assembly recently completed the first half of the 2023 legislative session.

The Senate introduced 484 bills, and of those, 164 were passed.

Upon final passage in the Senate, 91% of bills received bipartisan support and 55% received unanimous support.

In the first half of session, I have spent much of my time focused on bills that would directly affect Lake County and the legislative priorities established by Senate Republican leadership.

To support Lake County, I worked on senate bills, including Senate Bill 65. This would give the Lake County recorder flexibility in spending certain funds generated by their office. As a proponent of local government control, I fully support providing flexibility in how local officials can operate. SB 65 passed the Senate unanimously and will now be considered by the House of Representatives.

Another piece of legislation I was very much in support of was Senate Bill 1, which aims to improve mental health in Indiana. The bill would provide the next step to improving access to mental health services and infrastructure so Hoosiers have access to the resources they need. Mental health issues affect individuals, families and communities all over Indiana, and it is imperative that we continue to support steps to improve the lives of those suffering from mental illness. SB 1 passed the Senate unanimously and will now move to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

Senate Bill 434 was a bipartisan, collaborative effort made between myself, Sen. Rick Niemeyer (R-Lowell), Rep. Harold Slager (R-Schererville) and others. This bill would help in the development of a Lake County convention center and a new transit hub in downtown Gary, improving Lake County and surrounding areas of the region. My colleagues and I made sure it was a Lake County centric bill in order to support the county's bid for the potential convention center. SB 434 passed the Senate unanimously and will now be sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.

I am proud of the support Lake County has received this year, and look forward to continuing to improve our area by working with my colleagues in the General Assembly.

If you have any questions regarding these or other bills we will be considering in the coming weeks, please contact me by email at Senator.Dernulc@iga.in.gov or by phone at 317-232-9400.

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State Sen. Dan Dernulc (R-Highland) represents Senate District 1,
which includes a portion of Lake County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.